Van Mahotsava: The celebration of greenery in and around life

Van Mahotsava is a perennial tree planting festival that takes place in the month of July. During this festival thousands of trees are planted all over the country.

The Van Mahotsava was started in the year 1950 and was an initiative by K. M. Munshi, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Food at that time. It was started to bring about awareness amongst the people for the conservation of forests and planting of new trees across the country.

Present year details:

This year Van Mahotsava has been dated to be celebrated from July 1, 2016 to July 7, 2016. It is been said that the event maybe celebrated ahead of its planned date this year. Forest and environment minister Mr. Rajkumar Rinwa has ordered the forest officials to celebrate this festival earlier than its scheduled date to spread the positive message of tree plantation and its benefits to the environment amongst the country people.

Celebration at all levels:

Van Mahotsava is celebrated at the national, state and district level. For the celebration of this festival, forest officials in their respective area have to necessarily guide the happening of digging and making spaces for tree plantation.

Leaves for forest officials:

A new and modern approach has set in for the forest officials to request for a leave for the celebration of Van Mahotsava. Forest officials can request for a leave and be granted the same online. This is being done by way of e-office. The process of filing for leaves online is scheduled to begin from June 1, 2016. The training and induction for filing for a leave online has been imparted to the forest officials already.

Celebrating early - Reasons:

Faliing water levels:

Mr. Rajkumar Rinwa expressed that to bring about a rise in the water levels, the tasks and process of the "Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan" must be speeded up.

Land covered - Plants nurtured:

Along with other plans and schemes of the country, about 64170 hectares of land needs intensive tree plantation. For the happening of the same, states of the countries have been prepped with 725 nurseries which have nurtured about 140 lakh plants that are being distributed in the country.

Appointing new forest officials:

To speed up and give a new meaning and definition to the work and happenings of the forest department in the state, forest guards and foresters have been appointed, the training for whom will commence in the month of June.